Disentangling the Effect of Anthropomorphic Features on Acceptance of Social Robots

The anthropomorphic features of social robots are closely linked to user acceptance of social robots. Few studies have examined how anthropomorphic features affect user perceptions of the functions of social robots, a factor that can drive user acceptance of social robots. To answer this question, this study proposes a research model to investigate the effect of three key anthropomorphic features (appearance, voice, and response) of social robots on user perceptions of the robots’ utilitarian, hedonic, and social functions, which motivate users’ intention to accept social robots. The proposed research model will be validated with data collected via an online experiment in the hotel context. The research is expected to enrich the literature of social robot acceptance by linking anthropomorphic features and functions of social robots.